Sunderland

Sunderland's population grew older in the 10 years leading up to 2011. At the same time there were changes in marriage, family life and housing tenure.

The population decreased

In the decade to 2011, the population of Sunderland fell by 1.9%, from almost 281,000 to 276,000.

The loss of about 5,000 people means this area's population was the third-most rapidly-declining in the North East and, while the population of England increased by 7.9%.

In 2011, Sunderland was home to, on average, 14 people per football pitch-sized piece of land (about 7,140 square metres).

Population density was higher than the average across the North East

Population density (usual residents per 7,140 square metres) across the North East, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

An older Sunderland

Census 2011 data also show a change in the local population's average age.

Between the last two censuses, the median age of Sunderland increased by four years, from 37 to 41 years.

This industrial area had a slightly higher average age than the North East and became slightly older than the average local authority area across England (39 years of age).

The rise in age was because of an increase of just under 3,400 people aged 80 years or over, while the population between 30 and 39 years decreased by almost 9,000.

About 8.0% of people in Sunderland are aged over the age of 80 years

Percentage of usual residents in England, North East and Sunderland by 10 year age band, March 2001 and March 2011

Fewer married people

The proportion of married people fell in Sunderland, but at a slower rate than all other local authority areas in the North East, except Hartlepool.

Every local authority area across the North East saw a fall in the proportion of married people, as the regional average fell from 51% to 46%.

During this period, Sunderland fell below Hartlepool to become the North East local authority area with the sixth-lowest percentage of married people.

In 2011, just under one in two (45%) people aged 16 and over in Sunderland said they were married, compared with 50% in 2001. The percentage that said they were single increased from 31% to 35%.

The proportion of married people was lower than across the North East

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 and over that that said they were married across local authority areas in the North East and the average across England, March 2011

More homes without children

This area saw the North East's largest rise in the proportion of households without children.

Across the region, County Durham saw the next largest increase in the proportion of households without children (from 59% in 2001 to 62% in 2011).

Every local authority area across the North East saw a rise in the proportion of households without children, as the regional average grew from 60% to 62%.

In 2011, just under 6 in 10 (59%) households in Sunderland had no children, compared with 56% in 2001. The percentage with at least one child decreased from 31% to 28%.

The proportion of households without children was lower than across the North East

Percentage of households that without children across local authority areas in the North East and the average across England, March 2011

Change in unpaid care provision

This area saw the North East's joint largest rise in the proportion of people providing 50 hours, or more, of weekly unpaid care, alongside South Tyneside.

During this period, Sunderland overtook Hartlepool and Middlesbrough to become the North East local authority area with the highest percentage of people providing 50 hours, or more, of weekly unpaid care.

In 2011, just over 1 in 30 (3.5%) in Sunderland reported providing at least 50 hours of unpaid care each week, compared with 3.0% in 2001. The percentage that provided between 20 and 49 hours of weekly unpaid care increased from 1.6% to 1.9%.

The proportion of people providing 50 hours, or more, of weekly unpaid care in Sunderland remained close to 3.5%

Percentage of usual residents in England, North East and Sunderland by care, March 2001 and March 2011

More people cohabiting

The percentage of households with a cohabiting couple increased in Sunderland, but at a slower rate than all other local authority areas in the North East, except Redcar and Cleveland and Newcastle upon Tyne.

Every local authority area across the North East saw a rise in the proportion of households with an unmarried couple, as the regional average grew from 7.8% to 10.0%.

In 2011, just under 1 in 10 (9.9%) households in Sunderland had an unmarried couple, compared with 8.2% in 2001. The percentage with just a single person increased from 29% to 32%.

The percentage of households with a cohabiting couple was lower than across the North East

Percentage of households that that had an unmarried couple across local authority areas in the North East and the average across England, March 2011

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Area report data

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